Cell culture facility and cell culture system

Abstract

In the present invention, an incubator, a pass box, and a clean bench are arranged side by side in a first direction in a plan view. Stockers are arranged side by side with respect to the clean bench in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view. A storage area and a liquid operation area are connectable through an opening / closing part provided at a position on the side of the clean bench closer to the pass box in the first direction. A conveyance device is provided with a main line that is provided in the clean bench and extends in the first direction. The pass box and the opening / closing part are provided on the side of the main line closer to a first end part.

Description

Cell culture equipment, cell culture system

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-011746, filed on January 30, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clean system in which an incubator storage chamber for storing an incubator that communicates with the work chamber of the clean bench is provided on either the left or right side of the work chamber of the clean bench.

[0003] JP 2013-204910 A

[0004] When automating cell culture, it is necessary to disconnect the clean bench from the incubator, provide a stocker capable of storing a large number of workpieces, such as flask units, and transport the workpieces from the stocker into the clean bench. However, the cleanliness of the liquid handling area of ​​the clean bench varies depending on the location. For example, if a workpiece is transported into the clean bench and passes through an area with low cleanliness, it may become contaminated. On the other hand, if one attempts to suppress the variation in cleanliness in the liquid handling area and maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout the entire system, the system configuration becomes complicated, which leads to increased costs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide cell culture equipment and a cell culture system that can suppress cost increases while suppressing contamination of workpieces within a clean bench.

[0006] A cell culture facility according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a stocker forming a storage area for storing works, an incubator forming a culture area where a culture operation is performed on the works, a clean bench forming a liquid handling area where a dispensing operation is performed on the works, a transport device that transports the works between the stocker, the incubator, and the clean bench, and a pass box that is provided between the incubator and the clean bench and that moves the works between the liquid handling area and the culture area while maintaining the culture area and the liquid handling area in a non-communicating state, and The pass box and the clean bench are arranged side by side in a first direction in a plan view, the stocker is arranged side by side with respect to the clean bench in a second direction in a plan view that intersects with the first direction, and the storage area can be connected to the liquid handling area via an opening / closing unit provided at a position on the clean bench closer to the pass box in the first direction, the transport device is provided within the clean bench and extends in the first direction, forming a trunk line having a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction, and the pass box and the opening / closing unit are provided on the side closer to the first end of the trunk line.

[0007] A cell culture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cell culture facilities, and the stockers of the plurality of cell culture facilities are arranged to face each other.

[0008] According to the cell culture equipment and cell culture system of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress contamination of workpieces in a clean bench while suppressing increases in costs.

[0009] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cell culture facility according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cell culture system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cell culture system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. A cell culture facility 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is a system for performing unmanned and automatic cell culture and post-culture cell analysis, etc., using, for example, a workpiece W equipped with a flask as a processing unit. The flask contains cells and a culture solution containing a medium supplemented with nutrients necessary for cell growth.

[0011] <Cell culture facility> Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cell culture facility according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the cell culture facility 100 includes a first stocker (stocker) 110, a second stocker (stocker) 120, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, and a pass box 150.

[0012] <First Stocker> The first stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of workpieces W. The area inside the first stocker 110 is designated as a first storage area R1. The first storage area R1 is provided with a rack 112 capable of storing workpieces W such as flask units. An operator can access the rack 112 from outside via an opening / closing part (not shown).

[0013] <Second Stocker> The second stocker 120 is a facility for storing the workpieces W. The second stocker 120 is provided adjacent to the first stocker 110. The area within the second stocker 120 is designated as a second storage area R2. A refrigerator-freezer 121 and a stage 122 are provided in the second storage area R2.

[0014] The refrigerator-freezer 121 is configured to be able to switch between freezing and refrigerating items, and is capable of storing items that require freezing or refrigeration, such as seed cells to be introduced into flasks and antibodies extracted after culture in flasks.

[0015] The stage 122 has a flat upper surface that forms a horizontal plane. In this embodiment, a case where a plurality of stages 122 are provided is illustrated. An operator can access the stages 122 through, for example, a window provided in the second stocker 120.

[0016] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The area inside the incubator 130 is designated as the culture area R3. The atmosphere in the culture area R3 is controlled to a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. The culture area R3 is provided with, for example, a shaking stage (not shown) capable of shaking multiple flask units simultaneously.

[0017] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 is a facility for performing various liquid manipulations and processes on the workpiece W. The area within the clean bench 140 is designated as a liquid manipulation area R4. The liquid manipulation area R4 is a highly clean, sterile space (a bio-clean room). The clean bench 140 is provided with a dispensing device 141 that performs dispensing operations on the workpiece W, a waste section 142 that discharges used waste liquid and the workpiece W to the outside, and the like. The degree of cleanliness in the liquid manipulation area R4 decreases the closer it is to the waste section 142. The clean bench 140 is arranged adjacent to the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120.

[0018] Here, a first stocker door (opening / closing portion) 110a is provided within the first stocker 110, separating the first storage area R1 and the liquid handling area R4. When the first stocker door 110a is in an open state, the first storage area R1 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a connected state, allowing the movement of workpieces W between these areas. When the first stocker door 110a is in a closed state, the first storage area R1 and the liquid handling area R4 are not in a connected state, and these areas are isolated from each other.

[0019] Similarly, the second stocker 120 is provided with a second stocker door (opening / closing portion) 120a that separates the second storage area R2 from the liquid handling area R4. When the second stocker door 120a is in an open state, the second storage area R2 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a communication state. When the second stocker door 120a is in a closed state, the second storage area R2 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a non-communication state, isolating these areas. Note that in this embodiment, the first stocker 110 is positioned closer to the incubator 130 in the first direction D1 than the second stocker 120. Therefore, in the first direction D1, the first stocker door 110a is positioned closer to the pass box 150 than the second stocker door 120a. Note that the first storage area R1 and the second storage area R2 are controlled to have a higher pressure than the liquid handling area R4, preventing air from flowing from the liquid handling area R4 into the storage areas R1 and R2.

[0020] <Pass Box> The pass box 150 is installed between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140 so as to be in contact with them. The pass box 150 has a second pass door 150b. When the first pass door 150a is open, the culture area R3 and the area inside the pass box 150 are in communication with each other. When the second pass door 150b is open, the liquid handling area R4 and the area inside the pass box 150 are in communication with each other. Therefore, opening and closing the first pass door 150a and the second pass door 150b switches between a state in which the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area are isolated and a state in which workpieces W can move between these areas. Note that the first pass door 150a and the second pass door 150b are never open at the same time. Therefore, the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 do not communicate with each other, and the atmospheric conditions of each area are maintained.

[0021] <Transport Device> A first transport device 21 is provided in the first storage area R1. A second transport device 22 is provided in the culture area R3. A third transport device 23 is provided in the liquid handling area R4. A slider 123 is provided as a transport device in the second storage area R2. Examples of the first transport device 21, second transport device 22, and third transport device 23 include transport robots capable of transporting workpieces W horizontally. Furthermore, by linking the opening and closing of each door with the operation of the transport robot, the workpieces W can be transported between areas, such as from the first storage area R1 to the second storage area R2. In particular, in the second storage area R2, the slider 123 carrying the workpieces W slides through the open second stocker door 120a, allowing the workpieces W to be transported between the second storage area R2 and the liquid handling area R4. In other words, the work W can be transported between the first stocker 110, the second stocker 120, the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140 by the first transport device 21, the second transport device 22, the third transport device 23 and the slider 123, which are provided as transport devices for transporting the work W.

[0022] <Arrangement of Each Area> The incubator 130, the pass box 150, and the clean bench 140 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1 in a plan view. The incubator 130 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Furthermore, the clean bench 140 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape that is longer in the first direction D1 than the incubator 130 in a plan view. The pass box 150 of this embodiment is sandwiched between a side 130a of the incubator 130 facing the first direction D1 in a plan view and a short side 140a of the clean bench 140 facing the first direction D1 in a plan view. Here, FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the incubator 130 is arranged on one side of the first direction D1 (the right side in FIG. 1 ) and the clean bench 140 is arranged on the other side of the first direction D1 (the left side in FIG. 1 ). However, the incubator 130 may be arranged on the other side of the first direction D1 and the clean bench 140 may be arranged on one side of the first direction D1.

[0023] The first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 are arranged side by side with respect to the clean bench 140 in a second direction D2 in a plan view that intersects with the first direction D1. The storage area R1 of the first stocker 110 and the storage area R2 of the second stocker 120 are capable of communicating with the liquid handling area R4 at a position on the clean bench 140 closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1. In other words, the first stocker door 110a and the second stocker door 120a are arranged on the side of the long side 140b of the clean bench 140 closer to the pass box 150 in a plan view. Note that, although the first stocker 110 illustrated in this embodiment is arranged so as to be in contact with the clean bench 140 and the incubator 130 in the first direction D1, the first stocker 110 does not have to be in contact with the incubator 130.

[0024] <Arrangement within the clean bench> The third transfer devices 23 provided within the clean bench 140 form a trunk line 143 extending in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the trunk line 143 extends in the first direction D1 and is formed by a plurality of (e.g., two) third transfer devices 23 arranged side by side in the first direction D1. This trunk line 143 is capable of transporting the workpiece W from the vicinity of one short side in the first direction D1 in the liquid operation area R4 to the vicinity of the other short side.

[0025] In this embodiment, the trunk line 143 is disposed closer to the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 than the center of the clean bench 140 in the second direction D2. A pass box 150, a first stocker door 110a, and a second stocker door 120a are provided on the side of the trunk line 143 closer to the first end 143a in the first direction D1. A disposal section 142 is provided on the side of the trunk line 143 closer to the second end 143b.

[0026] A dispensing device 141 that performs dispensing operations is provided midway between the first end 143a and the second end 143b of the trunk line 143. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two dispensing devices 141 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1 in the liquid handling area R4, but the number of dispensing devices 141 can be set as appropriate.

[0027] A workbench 144 having a flat upper surface on which a workpiece W can be placed is also installed within the clean bench 140. This workbench 144 is installed in a position where a workpiece W carried from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4 can be placed thereon. The workpiece W placed on this workbench 144 is grasped and transported by a hand (not shown) of the third transport device 23. Note that in this embodiment, only the workbench 144 is provided on which a workpiece W carried from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4 can be placed, but another workbench may also be provided on which a workpiece W carried from the storage area R2 to the liquid handling area R4 can be placed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the workbench 144 is provided at a position where the sum of the distances from the pass box 150, the first stocker door 110a, and the first end 143a is the shortest. More specifically, the workbench 144 is provided at a position where the sum of the distance L1 between the workbench 144 and the pass box 150, the distance L2 between the workbench 144 and the first stocker door 110a, and the distance L3 between the workbench 144 and the first end 143a (L1 + L2 + L3) is the shortest. In this embodiment, the workbench 144 is disposed on the opposite side of the first end 143a of the trunk line 143 from the pass box 150 in the second direction D2. The workbench 144 is also disposed closer to the first stocker door 110a than the first end 143a of the trunk line 143 in the second direction D2, and is disposed at a position where it overlaps with the first stocker door 110a in the first direction D1, i.e., where it faces the first stocker door 110a.

[0029] (Effects) In the first embodiment, pass box 150 and first and second stocker doors 110a and 120a are disposed near first end 143a of trunk line 143. This allows the portion of liquid handling area R4 near first end 143a of trunk line 143 to be a relatively clean area that communicates with storage area R1 and incubation area R3, which have higher cleanliness levels than liquid handling area R4. Therefore, for example, the area through which workpieces W transferred from stockers 110 and 120 into clean bench 140 or workpieces W transferred into clean bench 140 via pass box 150 after shaking in incubator 130 pass can be designated as a high-cleanliness area. This eliminates the need to increase the cleanliness of the entire liquid handling area R4 while suppressing contamination of workpieces W within clean bench 140, thereby reducing costs.

[0030] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a dispensing device 141 that performs dispensing operations is provided in the clean bench 140 at a position midway between the first end 143a and the second end 143b of the trunk line 143. This allows the workpiece W that has been carried into the clean bench 140 from the stockers 110, 120 to be transported to the dispensing device 141 and subjected to dispensing operations without passing through an area with low cleanliness. Furthermore, the workpiece W that has been subjected to dispensing operations can be transported into the incubator 130 via the pass box 150 without passing through an area with low cleanliness. Furthermore, for example, the workpiece W that has finished shaking in the incubator 130 is transported from the first end 143a of the trunk line 143 to the dispensing device 141 via the pass box 150, and therefore does not pass through an area with low cleanliness within the clean bench 140.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the waste section 142 is provided on the side closer to the second end 143b of the trunk line 143. This allows the waste section 142, which could be a source of contamination, to be located on the opposite side of the pass box 150 and the stockers 110, 120 in the first direction D1. This prevents a decrease in the cleanliness of the liquid handling area R4 on the side closer to the first end 143a of the trunk line 143. On the other hand, since the used workpiece W is transported from the dispensing device 141 toward the waste section 142, i.e., the second end 143b of the trunk line 143, the used workpiece W does not pass through a highly clean area in the liquid handling area R4.

[0032] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a workbench 144 is provided on which a workpiece W carried from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4 can be placed. Therefore, when a new workpiece W is transferred from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4, the opening time of the first stocker door 110a can be shortened. This prevents air from flowing into the storage area R1 from the liquid handling area R4, and prevents a decrease in the cleanliness of the storage area R1.

[0033] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the work table 144 is provided at a position where the sum of the distances L1, L2, and L3 from the pass box 150, the first stocker door 110a, and the first end 143a is the shortest distance. Therefore, the workpieces W can be transported quickly at the first end 143a of the trunk line 143.

[0034] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. This second embodiment is a cell culture system including a plurality of the cell culture facilities of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, in the description of this second embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0035] The cell culture system 200 of the second embodiment includes a plurality of the cell culture facilities 100 of the first embodiment. Here, the cell culture system 200 of the second embodiment includes two cell culture facilities 100, but the number of cell culture facilities 100 included in one cell culture system 200 is not limited to two and may be, for example, three or more.

[0036] 2 is a plan view of a cell culture system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The incubator 130, pass box 150, and clean bench 140 of the cell culture equipment 100 are arranged side by side in a first direction D1. The first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 are arranged side by side in a second direction D2 relative to the clean bench 140. The storage area R1 can be communicated with the liquid handling area R4 via a first stocker door 110a provided on the clean bench 140 at a position closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1, and the storage area R2 can be communicated with the liquid handling area R4 via a second stocker door 120a provided on the clean bench 140 at a position closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1.

[0037] The multiple cell culture facilities 100 are arranged such that the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 face each other. The two cell culture facilities 100 illustrated in this second embodiment have the same configuration and are arranged to be point-symmetrical about a symmetry point O1 located near the first stocker 110 in a plan view. In Fig. 2, the two cell culture facilities 100 are arranged so that they overlap each other when rotated 180 degrees about the symmetry point O1, but it is sufficient that the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 are arranged so that they face each other.

[0038] (Effects) According to the cell culture system 200 of the second embodiment, the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 of the multiple cell culture facilities 100 are arranged to face each other. This allows easy access for operators to the multiple cell culture facilities 100, thereby reducing the burden on operators who operate the multiple cell culture facilities 100.

[0039] <Modification of Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the case where the multiple cell culture facilities 100 have the same configuration has been described. However, the multiple cell culture facilities 100 are not limited to having the same configuration. For example, the first stockers 110 and the second stockers 120 of the multiple cell culture facilities 100 of different sizes may be arranged so as to face each other.

[0040] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The cell culture system of the third embodiment differs in that it has an adjacent facility at the center and multiple cell culture facilities arranged around the adjacent facility. Therefore, in the description of the third embodiment, the same parts as those of the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0041] The cell culture system 300 in the third embodiment includes a plurality of cell culture facilities 100 and adjacent facilities 400. Here, the cell culture system 300 in the third embodiment is illustrated as including four cell culture facilities 100, but the number of cell culture facilities 100 included in one cell culture system 300 is not limited to four, and may be, for example, two, three, five or more.

[0042] 3 is a plan view of a cell culture system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The incubator 130, pass box 150, and clean bench 140 of the cell culture equipment 100 are arranged side by side in a first direction D1. The first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 are arranged side by side in a second direction D2 relative to the clean bench 140. The storage area R1 can be communicated with the liquid handling area R4 via a first stocker door 110a provided on the clean bench 140 closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1, and the storage area R2 can be communicated with the liquid handling area R4 via a second stocker door 120a provided on the clean bench 140 closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1.

[0043] The multiple cell culture facilities 100 are arranged on the same circle C1. The first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 of the multiple cell culture facilities 100 are arranged so as to protrude radially inward from the circle C1 relative to the clean bench 140. In other words, the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 are arranged closer to the center point O2 of the circle C1 relative to the clean bench 140.

[0044] Of the four cell culture facilities 100 illustrated in this third embodiment, those adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are formed symmetrically in the first direction D1, and those adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are formed symmetrically in the second direction D2. However, the multiple cell culture facilities 100 are not limited to being formed symmetrically in this manner, and for example, all of the cell culture facilities 100 may be formed point-symmetrically with respect to the center point O2, or may not be arranged symmetrically.

[0045] The adjacent equipment 400 is equipment that performs a process upstream or downstream of the cell culture equipment 100. The adjacent equipment 400 is arranged on the center point O2 of the circle C1. In other words, multiple cell culture equipment 100 are arranged around the adjacent equipment 400. The operating rate of one adjacent equipment 400 is lower than the operating rate of one cell culture equipment 100. The operating rate of the adjacent equipment 400 can be, for example, ¼ or less of the operating rate of the cell culture equipment 100.

[0046] (Effects) According to the cell culture system 300 of the third embodiment, the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 of the cell culture equipment 100 are arranged to protrude from the clean bench 140 toward the adjacent equipment 400. This allows the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120 of the cell culture equipment 100 to be arranged near the adjacent equipment 400, thereby enabling smooth coordination between the adjacent equipment 400 and the cell culture equipment 100.

[0047] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a plurality of cell culture facilities 100 are arranged around an adjacent facility 400 whose operation rate is lower than that of a single cell culture facility 100. Therefore, the operation rate of the adjacent facility 400 can be relatively increased compared to when one cell culture facility 100 is provided for one adjacent facility 400.

[0048] Other Embodiments Although each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the cell culture equipment 100 of each of the above embodiments has been described as including two stockers, a first stocker 110 and a second stocker 120. However, the number of stockers is not limited to two. For example, only one stocker or three or more stockers may be provided.

[0049] In each of the above embodiments, the case where the dispensing device 141 is provided at a position midway between the first end 143a and the second end 143b of the main line 143 is described, but the arrangement of the dispensing device 141 is not limited to the arrangement in the above embodiments.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the waste unit 142 is disposed on the side of the liquid handling area R4 that is closer to the second end 143b, but the location of the waste unit 142 is not limited to the locations in the above embodiments. Furthermore, the waste unit 142 may not be provided.

[0051] In the above third embodiment, an example was given of the case where the clean benches 140, pass boxes 150, and incubators 130 of all cell culture equipment 100 are arranged in the same direction, but the directions in which the clean benches 140, pass boxes 150, and incubators 130 are arranged may be different for each cell culture equipment 100.

[0052] <Additional Notes> The cell culture equipment and cell culture system described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0053] (1) A cell culture facility 100 according to a first aspect includes stockers 110, 120 forming storage areas R1, R2 for storing workpieces W, an incubator 130 forming a culture area R3 in which a culture operation is performed on the workpiece W, a clean bench 140 forming a liquid handling area R4 in which a dispensing operation is performed on the workpiece W, transport devices 21, 22, 23 for transporting the workpiece W between the stockers 110, 120, the incubator 130, and the clean bench 140, and a pass box 150 provided between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140 to move the workpiece W between the liquid handling area R4 and the culture area R3 while maintaining the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 in a non-communicating state. The stockers 110 and 120 are arranged side by side with the clean bench 140 in a first direction D1 in a plan view, and the stockers 110 and 120 are arranged side by side with the clean bench 140 in a second direction D2 in a plan view that intersects with the first direction D1, and the storage areas R1 and R2 can be connected to the liquid handling area R4 via opening and closing parts 110a and 120a provided at a position on the clean bench 140 closer to the pass box 150 in the first direction D1, and the conveying device 23 is provided within the clean bench 140 and extends in the first direction D1, forming a trunk line 143 having a first end 143a on one side of the first direction D1 and a second end 143b on the other side of the first direction D1, and the pass box 150 and the opening and closing parts 110a and 120a are provided on the side closer to the first end 143a of the trunk line 143. With this configuration, the side of liquid handling area R4 closer to first end 143a of trunk line 143 can be made into a relatively clean area that communicates with storage area R1 and culture area R3, which have higher cleanliness than liquid handling area R4. Therefore, for example, the area through which work W carried into clean bench 140 from stockers 110, 120 or work W carried into clean bench 140 via pass box 150 after shaking in incubator 130 passes can be made into a high-cleanliness area.Therefore, it is possible to suppress contamination of the workpiece W within the clean bench 140 while eliminating the need to increase the cleanliness of the entire liquid handling area R4, thereby suppressing increases in costs.

[0054] (2) The cell culture facility 100 according to a second aspect is the cell culture facility 100 of (1), wherein a dispensing device 141 that performs a dispensing operation is provided in the clean bench 140 at a position midway between the first end 143a and the second end 143b of the main line 143. As a result, for example, a workpiece W that has been loaded into the clean bench 140 from a stocker 110 or 120 can be transported to the dispensing device 141 and subjected to a dispensing operation without passing through a low-cleanliness area. Furthermore, the workpiece W that has undergone the dispensing operation can be transported into the incubator 130 via the pass box 150 without passing through a low-cleanliness area. Furthermore, for example, a workpiece W that has finished shaking in the incubator 130 is transported from the first end 143a of the main line 143 to the dispensing device 141 via the pass box 150, and therefore does not pass through a low-cleanliness area in the clean bench 140.

[0055] (3) The cell culture equipment 100 according to a third aspect is the cell culture equipment 100 of (1) or (2), wherein a waste unit 142 for waste disposal is provided in the clean bench 140 on the side closer to the second end 143b of the main line 143. This allows the waste unit 142, which could be a source of contamination, to be located on the opposite side of the pass box 150 and the stockers 110 and 120 in the first direction D1. This prevents a decrease in the cleanliness of the liquid handling area R4 on the side closer to the first end 143a of the main line 143.

[0056] (4) The cell culture equipment 100 according to a fourth aspect is the cell culture equipment 100 of (1), and further includes a work table 144 that is provided within the clean bench 140 and is capable of placing the workpiece W that has been transported from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4. This configuration can shorten the time that the first stocker door 110a is open when a new workpiece W is transferred from the storage area R1 to the liquid handling area R4. This can prevent air from flowing into the storage area R1 from the liquid handling area R4, thereby preventing a decrease in the cleanliness of the storage area R1.

[0057] (5) The cell culture facility 100 according to a fifth aspect is any one of the cell culture facilities 100 of (1) to (4), in which the work table 144 is provided at a position where the sum of the distances from the pass box 150, the opening / closing units 110 a and 120 a, and the first end 143 a is the shortest. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to quickly transport the work W at the first end 143 a of the trunk line 143.

[0058] (6) A cell culture system 200 according to a sixth aspect includes a plurality of cell culture facilities 100 of any one of (1) to (5), and the stockers 110, 120 of the plurality of cell culture facilities 100 are arranged to face each other. This configuration makes it easier for an operator to access each stocker 110, 120 of the plurality of cell culture facilities 100, thereby reducing the burden on an operator who operates the plurality of cell culture facilities 100.

[0059] (7) A cell culture system 300 according to a seventh aspect includes a plurality of cell culture facilities 100 of any one of (1) to (5), the plurality of cell culture facilities 100 being arranged on the same circle C1, and the stockers 110, 120 of the plurality of cell culture facilities 100 being arranged radially inward of the circle C1 with respect to the clean bench 140. This configuration allows the stockers 110, 120 of the plurality of cell culture facilities 100 to be arranged in close positions. This allows for easy access by an operator to each stocker 110, 120, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

[0060] (8) A cell culture system 300 according to an eighth aspect is the cell culture system 300 of (7), in which a plurality of the cell culture facilities 100 are arranged around an adjacent facility 400 that performs a process upstream or downstream of the cell culture facility 100. With this configuration, the stockers 110, 120 of the cell culture facility 100 can be arranged near the adjacent facility 400, thereby enabling smooth coordination between the adjacent facility 400 and the cell culture facility 100.

[0061] (9) A cell culture system according to a ninth aspect is the cell culture system 300 of (8), wherein the availability of the adjacent equipment is lower than the availability of one of the cell culture equipment 100. By configuring in this manner, the availability of the adjacent equipment 400 can be relatively increased compared to when one cell culture equipment 100 is provided for one adjacent equipment 400.

[0062] According to the cell culture equipment and cell culture system of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress contamination of workpieces in a clean bench while suppressing increases in costs.

[0063] 21, 22, 23 Conveyor device 21 First conveyor device 22 Second conveyor device 23 Third conveyor device 110 First stocker (stocker) 110a First stocker door (opening / closing section) 112 Rack 120 Second stocker (stocker) 120a Second stocker door (opening / closing section) 121 Refrigerator / freezer 122 Stage 123 Slider 130 Incubator 130a Side 140 Clean bench 140a Short side 140b Long side 141 Dispensing device 142 Disposal section 143 Main line 143a First end 143b Second end 144 Work table 150 Pass box 150a First pass door 150b Second pass door 200, 300 Cell culture system C1 Circle D1 First direction D2 Second direction L1, L2, L3 Distance O1 Symmetry point O2 Center point R1 First storage area R2 Second storage area R3 Cultivation area R4 Liquid handling area W Work

Claims

1. A system comprising: a stocker forming a storage area for storing workpieces; an incubator forming a culture area in which a culture operation is performed on the workpiece; a clean bench forming a liquid handling area in which a dispensing operation is performed on the workpiece; a transport device for transporting the workpiece between the stocker, the incubator, and the clean bench; and a pass box provided between the incubator and the clean bench for moving the workpiece between the liquid handling area and the culture area while maintaining the culture area and the liquid handling area in a non-communicating state, wherein the incubator, the pass box, and the clean bench are arranged side by side in a first direction in a plan view; the stocker is arranged side by side with the clean bench in a second direction in a plan view that intersects with the first direction, and the storage area can be communicated with the liquid handling area via an opening and closing part provided on a position on the clean bench closer to the pass box in the first direction; the transport device is provided within the clean bench and extends in the first direction, forming a trunk line having a first end on one side of the first direction and a second end on the other side of the first direction; The cell culture facility, wherein the pass box and the opening / closing section are provided on a side closer to a first end of the main line.

2. The cell culture facility according to claim 1, wherein a dispensing device for dispensing is provided within the clean bench at a position midway between the first end and the second end of the main line.

3. The cell culture facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a waste disposal section for waste disposal is provided in the clean bench on the side close to the second end of the main line.

4. The cell culture facility according to claim 1, further comprising a work table provided within the clean bench and capable of placing thereon at least the work carried from the storage area to the liquid handling area.

5. The cell culture facility according to claim 4, wherein the work table is provided at a position where the sum of the distances from the pass box, the opening / closing section, and the first end is the shortest distance.

6. A cell culture system comprising a plurality of cell culture facilities according to claim 1, wherein the stockers of the plurality of cell culture facilities are arranged so as to face each other.

7. A cell culture system comprising a plurality of cell culture facilities according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell culture facilities are arranged on the same circle, and the stockers of the plurality of cell culture facilities are arranged radially inward of the clean bench.

8. The cell culture system according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of said cell culture facilities are arranged around an adjacent facility that performs a process upstream or downstream of said cell culture facility.

9. The cell culture system according to claim 8, wherein the availability of the adjacent equipment is lower than the availability of one of the cell culture equipments.

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